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Happened last Friday going home from work. Saw the thing (identified as spark plug the next morning) rolling towards my car (running at 80k/Hr) - avoided the front tyres but unable to avoid the rear tyres (couldn't see it)

3 tyre shops claimed it's too big to be repaired

I've heard a lot of good reviews about the 697 but there are quite a lot of not so good reviews on the net as well.

While there are less comments regarding the CS5 touring they are good in general.

I do not go serious off-road so the CS5 is in fact sufficient for my use.

Where do you do most of your driving? The best AT tyre in the world is not going to be as a good as a good road tyre where I imagine you spend most of your time. It won't handle as well and it won't stop as well. For that sort of money you can get some good road tyres. So why buy an AT?

Bugger! If that was me I'd be trying to plug it with a couple of plugs and leave it on the back.
You use to be able to get tyres shaved. I presume tyre centres still do it. So you buy one new one and have a few mm taken off to match the other three.